Toy ski jumper



July 23, 1946. K. GRAETZ Y 2,404,572 4 n' TOY SKI JUMPER Filed oct; 17,'1945 l Arra/Swfy Patented July 23, 1946 UNITED` STATES PATENT OFFICE TOY SKI JUMPER Kermit Graetz, Verona, N. J.

Application October 17, 1945, Serial No. 622,747

My present invention Arelates to figure toys and is directed more particularly to a toy ski jumper.

One of the objects of my invention is to DTO- vide a realistic toy ski jumper of novel construction which simulates the movements of .a skilled human ski jumper.

Another object of my invention resides in a toy ski jumper in which a toy figure is caused to perform a somersault during its movement down a ski-track-like structure.

A further object of the invention constitutes the designing of a toy figure which is so constructed and balanced as to simulate effectively the movements of a skilled human ski jumper.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an interesting, amusing and novel toy of simple and inexpensive design.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 shows, in perspective, the major portion of a toy responding to the present invention;

Figure `2 is a vertical medial sectional view taken longitudinally through Figure 1;

Figure 3 illustrates the toy ski jumper gure by itself and l Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the toy ski jumper and the contiguous portion of the ski track, partly in section and partly in elevation.

Like numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the various views of the drawing.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the numeral Ii) indicates an elongated base member on which is mounted a main body member II, a portion of the upper edge of which is formed as a ski track I2 which is a smooth steeply sloping surface and another portion of which is cut away to form a free space within which the gyrations of the toy ski jumper occur. Beyond the free space, the member II again slopes steeply downwardly at I2 for a purpose to be hereinafter set forth.

The member II is disposed between a pair of 4 claims. (01.-46-130) vertical wall-like members I3 the upper edges of which parallel ski track I2 but project somewhat Y rials.v Such variations are all deemed to be ar or'the like with apolished or glossy upper surface. Oneend `of the member I4 has an aperture |45 through which stud I6 passes. The stud projects from the upper part of sloping portion I2' and the member I4 can thus be disassembled for Y packing, storing and shipping purposes, if desired. The end of the member I4 may be reinforced by a cross-piece I'I which serves to maintain the member in the proper position illustrated.

The toy ski jumper comprises a figure I8 mounted on a member I9 shaped to the general configuration of a pair of skis and narrower than the clearance between the member I3. The formed portions of member I9 are provided on their underside with feet 20 which have smooth rounded bottoms adapted to slide along ski track I2 and ski run I4. A cross bar 2I of round section is rigidly secured to the upper surface of member I9 in the position illustrated. In other words, the figure I8 which is congured to resemble a skier is mounted on a member having a central platform with forwardly and rearwardly v projecting parallel ski-like extensions.

It is to be understood that the ski jumper is so constructed, balanced and proportioned as to enable it effectively to follow the gyrations indicated in Figure 2 from which it will be observed that the toy figure somersaults in the free space beyond the end of the ski track and lands in skiing position on the ski run down which it proceeds. Thus, the toy figure slides down ski track I2 with cross bar 2| above the guide rails until it enters the free space at which time it drops down until cross bar 2l strikes the top edges of members I3, whereupon, due to the balancing of the toy figure, the figure I8 goes through a clockwise rotation and cross bar 2l rolls accordingly until the toy ski jumper assumes the dotted line position A from which it drops onto ski run I4 and slides down the same.

It is to be understood that the parts described and illustrated may be made of any suitable material including wood, metals, alloys and plastic materials. The toy is preferably but not necessarily finished in colors simulating the actual appearance of the true counterparts. The sizes and proportions of the various parts are subject to modication depending upon the materials employed and the weight and density of such matedesired the member I9 may have projections corl. A toy of the character described comprising a downwardly sloping track and a toy figure capable of sliding movement down said track actuated by gravity to simulate performance of a somersault at the lower end of said track and a Y run over which said iigure is movable from said track.

2. A toy of theY character described comprising a downwardly sloping track, guide rails projectf ing Yabove and downwardly beyond said track,-

forming a free space below the lower endofvthe Y track, and a toy gure having portions Ycapable Y of sliding down the track and having lateral pro- Yjections cooperating with said guide rails and related to the center of gravity of said member" so asrto cause the toy iigure to perform a somersault in said free space.

V3. VA toy of the character above and downwardly beyond said track, forming a free space, and a toy figure having portions capable of sliding down the track and having lateral projections cooperating with said guide rails and related to the center of gravity of said member so as to cause the toy figure to perform a somersault in said free space, and a down# wardly sloping run beyond said lower ends of said guide rails to receive said toy ligure Yafter it has performed said somersault.

4. Atoy of the character described comprising a main body member provided with a ski track andrcut away below said ski track, a pair of vertil cal members between which the main body member isdisposed which rise above such main body member to form guide rails and to dene a free spaceb'eyond and below said ski track; a steeply 20V i p surfacerand forming a ski run. Y Y described comprising Y Y a downwardly sloping track, guide rails projecting sloping surface on said main body member beyond said vertical members and said free space and sloping l,

exible'member secured to the steeply KERMIT GRAETZ. 

